Dialogue: A Look at Women in Ohio Politics

May 24, 2018

“Excuse me, is that seat taken?”

The gender gap remains wide in Ohio public office. Even though women make up the majority of the population, they are still in the minority in elected office. The Ohio legislature has never been more than 25 percent female and currently stands at 22 percent. Only a quarter of county commissioners are women.

The current Governor’s race, which began with four female candidates, has only one remaining.

Many are calling 2018 the year of women in politics – with a record number of women on ballots across the country.

Can women in the Buckeye State break barriers this year?

Moderator

• Asma Khalid, NPR Political Reporter

Guests

• Sophia Fifner, Community Relations Chief, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department
• Wendy Smooth, Associate Professor of Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies, The Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences
• Charleta Tavares, Assistant Minority Leader, 15th Senate District, Ohio